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Planets align in early July

By Larry Mahon

Agate Ridge Observatory

With the arrival of warm weather it is time to look at the summer Milky Way and the many objects it holds.

Starting in the south after the sky is dark, the constellations of Scorpius and Sagittarius, (the large tea pot), are fertile viewing areas for star clusters, nebula and glowing gas clouds.

Viewing with binoculars, in a dark sky, while reclining on a lounge or lying on top of a sleeping bag with a pillow, is a pleasant way to explore the Milky Way.

Take your time and really look at the different types of objects that are there. Following the Milky Way northward past Cygnus, the Double Cluster, all the way to Cassiopeia will take more than a single evening.

Learning to identify what you saw and being able locate them next time you are out will take a little time. Watch for the July 9 Star Party notices posted around Madras.

Starting and maintaining a log will help when sharing your experiences with family and friends.

On the first of the month, an hour after sunset, Venus, Regulus, (the star at the bottom of Leo's sickle) Mars and Saturn form a 38-degree long straight line with Venus at the bottom right end.

This alignment shortens until Venus passes Regulus on July 9. Mercury assumes Venus' lower position at mid month.

Mercury will reach its greatest elongation (distance from the Sun) on Aug. 2, and will be just about 6 degrees above the Western horizon a half hour after sunset, and will be shining at +0.1 magnitude, for several days at the end of July. This would be a good month to view the Sun's closest neighbor.

Jupiter is a morning object rising at just after midnight at the first of July, but around 10:30 p.m. by month's end.

Jupiter will be the bright morning star and be very bright at magnitude -2.5 to -2.7. It also increases in size to 45 seconds of arc as viewed from here on Earth.

For the past five years, Jupiter has been low in the sky for us in the Madras area, but this July 8, it will pass above the celestial equator for the rest of the month.

The planet Earth is at aphelion (farthest from the Sun) for the year, at 4 a.m. PDT on July 6. The distance then is 94,508,000 miles, 1.67 percent farther than average. Happy viewing

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